IT was disappointing to note that the name of an eminent doctor, viz. Dr Shershah Syed, was missing from the list of the recipients of civil awards on March 23.

Contributions made by this extremely devoted gynaecologist are well-known to every member of the medical profession. This untiring person waged a war against the affliction perpetrated on women, be it sexual abuse or maternal death due to lack of proper healthcare system.

His role in the Pakistan Medical Association, Amnesty International, PMDC and Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Pakistan, has been astounding and unprecedented.

His contribution to the awareness of the most wretched condition of urinary fistula in women and his efforts to establish a respectable centre for the treatment of this condition is something for which the people of Pakistan should be thankful to him and his team members.

His involvement in various national and international NGOs has earned Pakistan much respectability at international level.

Being a gynaecologist myself, I know how difficult it is to be involved in such hectic activities on the top of your busy professional commitments. In my opinion if any gynaecologist deserved to be honoured in the award list, Dr Shershah Syed should have been on the top of the list.

DR NASEEM AHMAD
Karachi